High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe

Introduction

Elevate your dinner game with this High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta Recipe, a satisfying meal that offers the perfect balance of comfort and nutrition. Rich ground beef, velvety sauce, and tender pasta create a truly hearty dish that’s as easy to prepare as it is to devour. The recipe is a fantastic solution for busy weeknights, serious meal preppers, and anyone seeking a filling, protein-packed pasta dinner.

Why You’ll Love This High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta

This dish brings together savory seasoned beef and a luscious, high-protein creamy sauce—all tossed with al dente pasta. Its robust flavor, creamy texture, and impressive protein content make it a weeknight favorite and a post-workout recovery winner. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that leaves everyone satisfied, energized, and ready for whatever comes next.

The Secret to a Protein-Packed Cream Sauce

Blending Greek yogurt or cottage cheese into the sauce delivers a luxurious, creamy mouthfeel while majorly boosting the protein content—without needing heavy cream. Paired with lean ground beef and your choice of high-protein pasta (think lentil, chickpea, or traditional whole wheat), you’re left with a wholesome meal that powers you through your day.

Best Cuts for Beefy Goodness

Lean ground beef is quick to cook and pairs perfectly in creamy pasta dishes. For extra protein and less fat, opt for 90% lean or higher. Browning it well develops complex, savory flavors while keeping the recipe streamlined and weeknight-friendly.

Serving Suggestions for Maximum Enjoyment

Garnish with chopped parsley, a sprinkle of parmesan, or a handful of baby spinach for color and freshness. Pair with a simple side salad or roasted vegetables for a balanced dinner. This hearty dish reheats beautifully, making it perfect for easy work-from-home lunches throughout the week.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 generous servings, with each portion typically containing 32–38g of protein, 450–500 calories, and a balanced macronutrient profile. Perfect for active lifestyles and families alike!

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and stress-free meal planning.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the high-protein pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
3. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Season with half the salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
4. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute for extra flavor. Pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer.
5. Reduce the heat to low. Add cottage cheese or Greek yogurt and parmesan cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve your desired sauce thickness.
6. Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, coating evenly. Add spinach or mushrooms if using, and let wilt (about 1 minute).
7. Taste and adjust seasoning with remaining salt, if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra parmesan if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This High Protein Creamy Beef Pasta is perfect for batch meal prepping and streamlining your weeknight dinners. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to plan your week, consolidate shopping lists, and ensure you always have everything you need on hand.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities—even across multiple recipes
• Organizes your shopping list by grocery store section for faster trips
• Prevents overbuying and forgotten ingredients
• Streamlines weekday meal prep and reduces waste

Pro tip: When planning a week’s worth of meals, schedule your recipes in CookifyAI to see where ingredient needs overlap, making bulk shopping a breeze!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Enjoy this simple, flavor-packed, high-protein creamy beef pasta—perfect for meal prep, quick dinners, and staying fueled all week long!